I am getting ready to run my first ever session of AiME. One of the things that has never set right with me was hobbits using "normal-sized" weapons. Now technically, I know that the only weapons small races are barred from weapons are those with the heavy tag. In my mind, I just can't see a hobbit being able to wield anything above a short sword effectively. Now there are certain larger weapons where I would say they could use, but would have to be used 2-handed... maybe a battle-axe, spear, or broad sword.

My question is, would I be hindering any potential hobbit characters by applying the above rules? I don't imagine there'd be many martial weapons in the shire or bree-land. Is this being too nit-picky?

The only restrictions are those items with the "Heavy" quality. Those are considered too bulky to be wielded by small size and smaller characters as per 5e rules. Damage dice doesn't change based on size as they wanted to simplify it.
So as of right now, can not use Great Shields, Great Axe, Great Spear, Heavy Scimitar, Mattock, and Great Bows.

My question is, would I be hindering any potential hobbit characters by applying the above rules? I don't imagine there'd be many martial weapons in the shire or bree-land. Is this being too nit-picky?

Thanks,
QP

Concerning the first question, isn't limiting (or hindering) exactly what you wish to do? The answer, of course, is the limiting "small" characters (with hobbits being the only "small" race) would be hindering them. But your second question, is the real question. I think that depends on what you mean by "too nit-picky", my answer is "No." You are trying to bring what you consider realism into the game. In the books, Tolkien gave the hobbits all special weapons and they all seem to be able to contribute quite nicely.

Thanks Wanton. My first question should have been "would I be hindering the Hobbits to much". I'm also trying to gauge if you'd want to play in a campaign with such limits in place. For the record, even the medium sized characters won't have access to any sword they want, unless, possibly. They come from a martial culture, or one with a standing army... even then, the rank and file soldier would most likely be armed with a spear or axe. Swords will just be rare.

For the record, even the medium sized characters won't have access to any sword they want, unless, possibly. They come from a martial culture, or one with a standing army... even then, the rank and file soldier would most likely be armed with a spear or axe. Swords will just be rare.

For any culture that can field a standing army (such as Gondor), the short sword should be pretty common, being the close-up weapon of choice for the infantry soldier. Axes would replace short swords in such cultures as the Beornings and Woodmen.

"Far, far below the deepest delvings of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he."

For any culture that can field a standing army (such as Gondor), the short sword should be pretty common, being the close-up weapon of choice for the infantry soldier. Axes would replace short swords in such cultures as the Beornings and Woodmen.

Indeed. I think it fairly likely that "wilder" cultures would see more of a variety of sidearms than something like Gondor which might have something that's standard issue.

I could see Beornings and Woodmen with weapons that largely double as tools like Hunting Spears, Axes of various sizes, and similarly Hunting Knives of various sizes.

I think this was largely how migration period cultures armed their warriors and raiders.